The Utilization Of Herbs In Modern Societies

For century upon century the human race has utilized herbs in a great many ways. These uses can be placed into three distinctive categories; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the article below we will discuss each of these categories in order concentrating upon the medicinal uses and essential oils.

Through the ions o time there have been many other uses of herbs which we will not be looking at here and these include them being used as cash, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to mask disgusting smells. Herbs come from many parts of the world and each culture usually had strange uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Sumerians, Romans and Ancient Greeks all wrote about these uses in detail and other writings are in existence from Ancient India and China. In this article we will be concentrating on modern uses.

The Use of Herbs In Religion

Herbs are currently used in various religions around the world. The majority of Christians will be familiar with myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be very familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a form of Basil, as it is cultivated by many and revered as a Goddess. In Wiccan and Pagan faiths herbs are utilized extensively in spells, rituals as well as for healing.

Using Herbs In Cooking

The leaves of different plants are used in the kitchen but there is a distinction between leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, and a herb, such as sage, in that the latter are used in very small amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person on the planet has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the plainest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.

The Use of Herbs in Medicine

As well as being powerful in flavor a herb can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being studied.

Essential Oils

An essential oil is the concentrate extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are invariably created by the process known as distillation but some require a different process of extraction such as such as solvent extraction or expression.

Essential oils have a number of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However most people know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a number of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use approximately three drops in a bath when I suffer from achy legs. When my legs are extremely painful I massage it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep better.

Herbs should be used with great care as some can be extremely poisonous to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are planning on having a baby as something that is otherwise safe could be dangerously problematic, such as peppermint oil which should not be used in its dilute state. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used but to avoid any of miscarriage you should avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you know for certain they are safe.

The awesome thing is that growing your own herbs is as easy as buying a herb kit and placing it near a window.